Move Animations Between Files?

greenfrog5x5 · 28 Feb 2020, 18:24

Is there a way to copy objects+animation from one SketchUp file into another file?

Thanks

fredo6 · 28 Feb 2020, 20:28

Not Really.

All data for the animation is stored within the model and objects (as attributes).

So a Save-As or Save-Copy-As will keep the data, but there is no way to transfer the animation data between files. The reason is that all the references (i.e. entity ID) would be different.

Is there a particular situation where such a data transfer would make sense?

greenfrog5x5 · 28 Feb 2020, 22:05

Thank you for the quick response.

I am working on a large/complex animation with several other people. It would be useful to build portions of the larger animation in separate files (by separate people) and then bring them together into the final model to complete the animation.

Another situation would be if you had previously done an animation (or two separate animations, in separate SU models). Then you want to combine these (reuse them) in a new file to add additional animation.

I could imagine copy/paste the model objects, then an 'export/import' animation data to bring the associated animation data into the new model file. I understand there are technical challenges in maintaining the object associations, and other limitations of Sketchup.

Your plugin is amazing, thank you so much for the hard work and support.

hoantq76 · 19 Jul 2022, 03:07

I have same difficulty!
It will be great if Sketchup or a plugin allow to copy a group to other file including its animation (ex Fredo6 Animator). It will save a lot of time and brings the team working in complex project.

rgds,

fredo6 · 19 Jul 2022, 08:09

@hoantq76 said:

I have same difficulty!
It will be great if Sketchup or a plugin allow to copy a group to other file including its animation (ex Fredo6 Animator). It will save a lot of time and brings the team working in complex project.

Unfortunately, this is not possible in the current version and would be quite complex to do anyway.

Box · 19 Jul 2022, 08:44

I understand you are saying it's not currently possible and complex but it is something well worth looking at. The ability to build 'animated components' would be invaluable. Creating animations can be quite complex and it would be nice to be able to build them in their own file but use them in another file.
A simple way to look at it, you have created your forklift and it drives and lifts etc. But you have also built a large complex warehouse with working conveyors. It would be nice to pick up the forklift and drop it into the warehouse complete with its animation functions intact. You may need to program some paths for it but the other actions are retained and can be edited rather than having to go through and set it all up again.

Anyway, something to think about.

fredo6 · 19 Jul 2022, 14:40

It is complex because Sketchup does not maintain unique IDs for objects across Sketchup models. But, more important, there is the question of maintaining the consistency between the external model (which provides the animated component) and the master model where you integrate the animated component.

But it is doable if I have some (good) time to do it, among other improvements that I need to bring to Animator.

faBcn · 17 Jan 2023, 10:02

@fredo6 said:

Not Really.

All data for the animation is stored within the model and objects (as attributes).

So a Save-As or Save-Copy-As will keep the data, but there is no way to transfer the animation data between files. The reason is that all the references (i.e. entity ID) would be different.

Is there a particular situation where such a data transfer would make sense?

Yes there is, create a ready-to-use pre-animated objects (just like a Twinmotion for instance):
=> wind turbines, cars (with consistent wheel rotation), animated crane/excavator....

Thanks (your plugin is awesome!)